By Susan Elise Campbell
A series of fortunate and unfortunate events culminated in an opportunity for Warrensburg native Stacey Webster to open the lunch and dinner restaurant she has always wanted to operate.
According to Webster, the newly opened Stace’s Place on 3897 Main St. is her way to give back to her community while honoring her family.
“My husband and I were always on the go to flea markets, camping and fishing as a family,” said Webster. “For 20 years there was no time nor opportunity to begin a business.”
Webster’s husband passed away in 2020. She said she took a full year to “get situated and then started to do something totally different. My mother and grandparents instilled in me that whatever I do, I should enjoy it and give back to the community,” she said. “My family goes back many generations in Warrensburg.”
“They would tell me to feed the customers with love and make sure the food is good,” said Webster.
Webster knew she did not want to buy real estate. As she started researching concepts and locations for her restaurant, she was talking to a friend whose uncle owned a building on Main Street. She contacted him and soon became the new tenant.
Then she came up with an idea: meal deals.
“A meal deal is an entrée, side and drink, all for $6.50 plus tax,” she said. “My prices are lower because this community was wonderful to me when my husband passed away. With the meal deal, you know what you’re getting and there’s always more,” she said. “It helps the local economy because there is something for everyone.”
“It’s not extravagant, but parents can bring their families and feel they have treated their kids to a good meal,” she said.
She said seniors can sit and visit in “homey comfort among the changing fall colors,” watch people passing by on “a very charming Main Street,” and have a meal or treat with their grandchildren.
Webster offers dishes like the MacDaddy, a hamburger between two deep fried macaroni and cheese patties instead of buns. Another popular item is foot-long hotdog topped with either Michigan meat sauce or wrapped in bacon.
She offers vegan and gluten-free items and off-the-menu specials like tomato tarragon stuffed peppers, chicken and biscuits, and ham with bean soup.
“Everything is made from scratch, like my grandmother used to do every day,” said Webster.
Webster prepares her own soups, rolls and pastries.
Webster has four or five people working in the restaurant at any time, including her daughter and granddaughters.
“I went into this for the enjoyment of it and for the community,” Webster said.“My Mom always said, if you do something do it right, not half-way.”
Stace’s Place is open six days a week including Mondays and Tuesdays, when many eateries are closed. From now through the end of November she is also getting an early start to have breakfast sandwiches ready “for the hunters to grab and go,” she said.